miOaklandCounty.com

I hesitate to write this post because I hate to put ideas in anyone’s head about how to commit fraud. The perpetrators are always one step ahead of the banks and “the system” and, just like with mortgage fraud, the rest of us will all end up paying the bill for the latest trend [...]

Yes, that headline is correct. Sales are up over last year for the fourth month in a row, according to our MLS, Realcomp II. We’ve told you, we are seeing a lot of activity, and we are busier than ever. Spring has sprung! Here is Realcomp’s report
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Yesterday I tried to [...]

Dmitry and I have had our busiest Spring in real estate in years in 2008.  We are working with more clients than ever before.  Last week we had a couple of closings and we asked the other Realtors and mortgage brokers if they were seeing what we are seeing: a lot more buying activity in [...]

On Tuesday April 29th, the Birmingham Bloomfield Realtor Network is having it’s Spring Flowers tour from 10 to 1.  Visit LastTuesdayTour.com for more information.
We are also excited to be sponsors of the 2008 Birmingham Farmer’s Market.  The market is a favorite with all of us.  Our members will even be there to greet you 5 [...]

I was asked to stage a vacant house in Royal Oak which had been on the market for 6+ months with no offers. It definitely needed furniture in place to give it some “oomph” and show how lovely the property truly is.
As I toured the house to take measurements and devise a plan of action, [...]

Realcomp, our MLS, sends me real estate statistics every month because I asked to be on the special list of recipients of real estate stats.  Along with their report comes a note that says the stats are not for redistribution.  Hence, I have not been publishing them on my blog.  But our association of Realtors [...]

Or, “how bad is the market?” Yep, we get asked that all the time.
First, let me say that we are busy. Our business has been very steady since we started selling homes in 2001. We’ve always looked at this as a business, not a hobby or something to fill our idol time now that [...]

If you are interested in local millage rates, this is the definitive source for 2006.  As soon as the 2007 publication becomes available, I will publish it here.
Oakland County property tax rates begin on page 110.  I did notice a mistake under the Birmingham City section.   I am not aware of any homes in Birmingham [...]

For the last 18 months, maybe longer, a significant part of my job has been to disappoint people. I get to deliver messages that nobody wants to hear:

“Your home is not worth what you paid for it.”
“You owe the bank more than your house is worth.”
“Your neighbors got more last year than you will [...]

The Birmingham Bloomfield Realtor Network is at it again this month. Join us! I will be at 1680 Norfolk in Birmingham. This event is open to the public. Hope to see you…
 

SPOOKTACULAR
Tuesday October 30 from 10 to 1
Tour these Nine Homes for some great “Treats”
32311Arlington - Beverly [...]

Housing market figures for Oakland County in September reflect a decrease in sales activity compared to September 2006: sales and sales volume were down eight percent and 18 percent, respectively.
Among the municipalities experiencing positive sales activity in the year-to-year comparison (with a minimum of 15 sales) were:

Commerce Township, which [...]

The Oakland County Health Division will offer free radon test kits to residents during National Radon Action Week Oct. 22-26. The kits normally cost $10.
From the EPA’s Radon site:
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family’s [...]